Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Units Outstanding Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Consolidated Combined Balance Sheet Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, end of year Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Cash Accounts receivable Accounts receivable Derivative Assets Current Current portion of derivative asset Current portion of derivative assets Current portion of derivative asset Current portion of derivative asset Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of receivables due from drilling partnership investors related to funds raised for drilling and constructing natural gas and oil wells in specified areas. Subscriptions receivable Prepaid expenses and other Total current assets Total current assets Property, plant and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, plant and equipment, Net, Total Sum of the carrying amounts of al intangible assets, including goodwill, as of the balance sheet date, net of accumulated amortization and impairment charges. Goodwill is defined as the carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions. Goodwill and intangible assets, net Long-term derivative asset Long-term derivative asset Long term derivative asset Derivative Assets, Noncurrent, Total Long-term portion of derivative assets Other assets, net Total Other Assets Total assets Total assets Total assets Total assets acquired Liabilities [Abstract] LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL/EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current, Total Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred and payable for funds raised from investors in drilling partnerships that the registrant manages and is the general partner of. The registrant is obligated to utilize the funds to drill and construct natural gas wells in specified areas within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer. Accrued Liabilities Associated With Drilling Contracts Liabilities associated with drilling contacts Liabilities associated with drilling contracts Current portion of derivative liability Current portion of derivative liabilities Current portion of derivative asset Current portion of derivative liabilities Payable to drilling partnerships, which are not consolidated within the registrant's consolidated balance sheets and for which the registrant is the general partner and manager, for the commodity derivatives that were internally allocated to such drilling partnerships. The payables are based upon the fair values of the internally allocated derivative contracts to the drilling partnerships as of the balance sheet date. These derivative contracts meet the criteria of being accounted for as derivative instruments and which are expected to be converted into cash or otherwise disposed of within a year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, net of the effects of the master netting arrangements. Current portion of derivative payable to Drilling Partnerships Current portion of derivative payable to Drilling Partnerships Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred and payable pertaining to cost of well construction and completion. These obligations are due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer. Accrued well drilling and completion costs Accrued well drilling and completion costs Accrued liabilities Accrued Liabilities, Current, Total Total current liabilities Total current liabilities Long-term debt, less current portion Long-term debt Total long-term debt Long-term derivative liability Long-term portion of derivative liabilities Long-term derivative payable to Drilling Partnerships Long-term portion of derivative liabilities Payables to drilling partnerships, which are not consolidated within the registrant's consolidated balance sheets and for which the registrant is the general partner and manager, for the commodity derivatives that were internally allocated to such drilling partnerships. The payables are based upon the fair values of the internally allocated derivative contracts to the drilling partnerships as of the balance sheet date. These derivative contracts meet the criteria of being accounted for as derivative instruments and which are expected to exist longer than one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer, net of the effects of master netting arrangements. Long-term derivative payable to Partnerships Long-term portion of derivative payable to Drilling Partnerships Long-term derivative payable to Drilling Partnerships Long-term portion of derivative payable to Drilling Partnerships Other long-term liabilities Asset retirement obligations and other Other Liabilities, Noncurrent, Total Partners' Capital: Partners' Capital/Equity: General Partner's Share of Undistributed Earnings, Incentive Distribution Right Embedded in General Partner Interest General partner's interest The amount of preferred limited partners' ownership interests, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income. Preferred limited partners' interest The amount of common limited partners' ownership interests, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income. Common limited partners' interest All stockholders' equity (deficit) items, excluding accumulated other comprehensive income. Equity Owners' equity Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated other comprehensive income Partners' Capital Balance Balance Total partner's capital/equity Total liabilities and shareholders' Equity Total liabilities and partners' capital/equity Consolidated Combined Statements of Operations [Abstract] Revenues: Oil and Gas Sales Revenue Gas and oil production Gas and oil production Gas and oil production: Revenues Revenue from construction and completion of wells for drilling partnerships that the registrant manages and is the general partner of. Revenue From Well Construction And Completion Well construction and completion Well construction and completion Well construction and completion: Revenues Gas Gathering Transportation Marketing And Processing Revenue Transmission, gathering and processing Gathering and processing Revenue from administrative well services performed for drilling partnerships that the registrant manages and is the general partner of. Revenue From Administration And Oversight Administration and oversight Administration and oversight Administration and oversight Revenue from operational well services performed for drilling partnerships that the registrant manages and is the general partner of. Revenue From Well Services Well services Well services Well services Other Sales Revenue Net Other, net Administration and oversight Total revenues Revenues Total revenues Costs and expenses: Costs incurred to operate and maintain an entities' wells and related equipment and facilities, including applicable operating costs of support equipment and facilities and other costs of operating and maintaining those wells and related equipment and facilities. Gas And Oil Production Gas and oil production: Operating costs and expenses Gas and oil production Operating costs and expenses Costs from construction and completion of wells for drilling partnerships that the registrant manages and is the general partner of. Well Construction And Completion Costs Well construction and completion: Operating costs and expenses Well construction and completion Operating costs and expenses Gathering and processing Gathering fee Well Service Expense Well services Well services Well services General and administrative General and administrative General and administrative Chevron transaction expense. Chevron transaction expense Chevron transaction expense Cost Of Goods Sold Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense Depreciation, depletion and amortization Depreciation, depletion and amortization Depreciation, depletion and amortization Operating Expenses Total costs and expenses Total costs and expenses Operating income Operating income (loss) Operating income (loss) Segment income (loss) Interest Expense Interest expense Interest expense Interest Expense Gain (loss) on asset sales Loss on asset disposal (Gain)/loss on asset sale and disposal Gain (loss) on asset sales and disposal Gains (Losses) on Sales of Assets, Total (Gain)/loss on asset disposal Net income attributable to common shareholders Net income (loss) Net income (loss) Preferred Limited Partner Dividends Preferred Limited Partner Dividends Preferred limited partner dividends Net Income Loss After Income Loss Attributable To Preferred Limited Partners Net Income Loss After Income Loss Attributable To Preferred Limited Partners Net Income (loss) attributable to owner's interest, common limited partners and the general partner Net Income (loss) Allocation of net income (loss): Net income/loss applicable to owners' interest related to income earned in the period on assets owned by the parent before the assets were transferred to form a new partnership under common control. Portion applicable to owners' interest (period prior to transfer of assets on March 5, 2012) Income applicable to owners' interest (period prior to transfer of assets on March 5, 2012) Portion applicable to owners' interest (period prior to the transfer of assets on March 5, 2012) Net income attributable to owner's interest (period prior to the transfer of assets on March 5, 2012) Net income/loss applicable to members' interests related to income earned in the period on assets previously owned by the parent after the assets were transferred to form a new partnership under common control. Portion applicable to members' interest period subsequent to the transfer of assets on March 5, 2012 Portion applicable to common limited partners and the general partner's interests (period subsequent to the transfer of assets on March 5, 2012) Net loss attributable to common limited partners and the general partner Net loss attributable to common limited partners and the general partner Allocation of net loss attributable to common limited partners and the general partner Allocation of net loss attributable to common limited partners and the general partner: Net loss attributable to common limited partners Common limited partners' interest Net loss attributable to common limited partners Net loss attributable to members' interests subsequent to the transfer of assets on March 5, 2012 Net Income (Loss) Allocated to General Partners General partner's interest Less: General partner's interest Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net loss attributable to common limited partners and the general partner Net loss attributable to common limited partners and the general partner Net loss attributable to common limited partners and the general partner subsequent to the transfer of assets on March 5, 2012 Net loss attributable to common limited partners per unit: Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Outstanding Limited Partnership Unit, Basic Basic Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Outstanding Limited Partnership Unit, Diluted Diluted Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common unitholders Weighted average common limited partners' units outstanding: Weighted Average Limited Partnership Units Outstanding, Basic Basic Weighted Average Limited Partnership Units Outstanding, Diluted Diluted Consolidated Combined Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract] Other comprehensive income (loss): Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net Gain recognized in accumulated OCI Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net, Total Changes in fair value of derivative instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net Less: reclassification adjustment for realized gains in net income (loss) (Gain) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net, Total Less: reclassification adjustment for realized gains in net income (loss) Other comprehensive income (loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Other comprehensive income Total other comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to owner's interest, common limited partners and the general partner Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to owner's interest, common limited partners and the general partner Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to owner's interest (period prior to the transfer of assets on March 5, 2012) Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to owner's interest (period prior to the transfer of assets on March 5, 2012) Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to owner's interest (period prior to the transfer of assets on March 5, 2012) Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to owner's interest (period prior to the transfer of assets on March 5, 2012) Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common limited partners and the general partner's interests (period subsequent to the transfer of assets on March 5, 2012) Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common limited partners and the general partner's interests (period subsequent to the transfer of assets on March 5, 2012) Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common limited partners and the general partner's interests (period subsequent to the transfer of assets on March 5, 2012) Combined Statements of Equity [Abstract] Statement, Partner Capital Components [Axis] Partner Capital Components [Domain] Partner Capital Components [Domain] Parent [Member] General Partners Capital [Member] Preferred Limited Partners' Capital [Member] Preferred Limited Partners Capital [Member] Preferred Limited Partners' Capital [Member] Limited Partner [Member] Common Limited Partners Capital [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Partners' Capital Account, Units Balance - units Balance units Net investment from owner's interest prior to the transfer of assets on March 5, 2012 Net investment from owner's interest prior to the transfer of assets on March 5, 2012 Net assets contributed by owner Net assets contributed by owner Net assets contributed by owner to Atlas Resource Partners, L.P. Net assets contributed by owner, units Net Assets Contributed By Owner Units Net assets contributed by owner to Atlas Resource Partners, L.P.- units Partners' Capital Account, Private Placement of Units Issuance of units Partners' Capital Account, Units, Sold in Private Placement Issuance of units (units) Preferred Units, Issued Issuance of units, preferred (units) Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Issued Issuance of units, common limited (units) Unissued common units under incentive plans. Unissued common units under incentive plans Partners' Capital Account, Distributions Distributions paid to common limited partners and the general partner Distributions paid to unitholders Distributions paid to common limited partners and the general partner Partners' Capital Account, Distributions, Total Distributions paid to unitholders Distribution Equivalent Rights Paid On Unissued Units Under Incentive Plans Distribution Equivalent Rights Paid On Unissued Units Under Incentive Plans Distribution equivalent rights paid on unissued units under incentive plan Distribution equivalent rights paid on unissued units under incentive plan Net income (loss) attributable to common and preferred limited partners and the general partner subsequent to the transfer of assets on March 5, 2012. Net income (loss) attributable to common and preferred limited partners and the general partner subsequent to the transfer of assets on March 5, 2012 Consolidated Combined Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation, depletion and amortization Depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense Depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense Depreciation, depletion and amortization Non-cash loss on derivative value, net Non-cash (gain) loss on derivative value, net Non-cash loss (gain) on derivative value, net Non-cash compensation expense (benefit) Non-cash compensation expense Non-cash compensation expense (benefit) Amortization of deferred finance costs Amortization of deferred financing costs Amortization of deferred finance costs Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses and other Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses and other Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses and other Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Capital expenditures Capital expenditures Capital expenditures Payments to Acquire Businesses and Interest in Affiliates Net cash paid for acquisitions Payments to Acquire Businesses and Interest in Affiliates, Total Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Other Other Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Borrowings under subsidiary credit facilities Borrowings under credit facilities Borrowings under credit facilities Proceeds from Lines of Credit, Total Repayments under subsidiary credit facilities Repayments under credit facilities Repayments under credit facilities Proceeds from Contributions from Affiliates Net investment from Atlas Energy, Inc. Net investment from owners Net investment from Atlas Energy, Inc. Payments of Capital Distribution Distributions paid to unit holders Distributions paid to unitholders Distributions paid to unit holders Proceeds from Issuance of Common Limited Partners Units Issuance of units Issuance of units (Units) Issuance of units Net proceeds from issuance of common limited partner units Payments of Financing Costs Deferred financing costs and other Deferred financing costs and other Deferred financing costs and other Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash provided by financing activities Net change in cash and cash equivalents Net change in cash and cash equivalents Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure Text Block BASIS OF PRESENTATION Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Significant Accounting Policies Text Block SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Atlas Energy, L.P. Acquisition from Atlas Energy, Inc. Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Transferred Business AEI Transferred Business Aei [Member] Transferred Business AEI [Member] Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Text Block] ATLAS ENERGY, L.P. ACQUISITION FROM ATLAS ENERGY, INC. ACQUISITIONS Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Property Plant And Equipment Disclosure Text Block PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Asset Retirement Obligations [Abstract] Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure Text Block ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS Debt [Abstract] Debt Disclosure Text Block DEBT Derivative Instruments [Abstract] Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure Text Block DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract] Fair Value of Financial Instrumetns FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Related Party Transactions Disclosure Text Block CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure Text Block COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Issuances of Units [Abstract] The entire disclosure for terms, amounts, nature of changes, rights and privileges, dividends and other matters related to common and preferred units ISSUANCES OF UNITS [Text Block] ISSUANCES OF UNITS Cash Distributions [Abstract] SUBSIDIARY CASH DISTRIBUTIONS CASH DISTRIBUTIONS Benefit Plan [Abstract] Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] BENEFIT PLAN Operating Segment Information [Abstract] Segment Reporting Disclosure OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION Subsequent Events [Abstract] Schedule Of Subsequent Events Text Block SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Consolidation, Subsidiaries or Other Investments, Consolidated Entities, Policy [Policy Text Block] Principles of Consolidation and Combination [Policy Text Block] Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Use of Estimates [Policy Text Block] Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block] Receivables [Policy Text Block] Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block] Inventory [Policy Text Block] Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Property, Plant and Equipment [Policy Text Block] Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block] Impairment of Long-Lived Assets [Policy Text Block] Interest Capitalization, Policy [Policy Text Block] Capitalized Interest [Policy Text Block] Intangible Assets, Finite-Lived, Policy [Policy Text Block] Intangible Assets [Policy Text Block] Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block] Goodwill [Policy Text Block] Description of Derivative Risk Management Policy Derivative Instruments [Policy Text Block] Asset Retirement Obligations, Policy [Policy Text Block] Asset Retirement Obligations [Policy Text Block] Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation [Policy Text Block] Other Assets Policy Other Assets Policy Text Block Other Assets [Policy Text Block] Disclosure of accounting policy for computing basic and diluted earnings or loss per common unit. Addresses all significant policy factors, including any antidilutive items that have been excluded from the computation. Net Income (Loss) Per Common Unit (Policy) Net Income (Loss) Per Common Unit [Policy Text Block] Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block] Revenue Recognition [Policy Text Block] Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block] Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Policy Text Block] Derivatives, Methods of Accounting, Derivative Types Derivatives, Methods of Accounting, Hedge Effectiveness [Policy Text Block] Derivatives, Methods of Accounting, Hedge Effectiveness [Policy Text Block] Derivatives, Basis and Use of Derivatives, Use of Derivatives Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table Text Block] Schedule of the components of intangible assets being amortized [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of the allocation of continuing income and discontinued income to common limited partners utilized in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per unit. Reconciliation Of Net Income Text Block Reconciliation of net income (loss) [Table Text Block] Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares [Table Text Block] Schedule of Partnership's weighted average number of units [Table Text Block] Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block] Historical carrying value of assets acquried and liabilities assumed [Table Text Block]